Kerala is a state in southwest India famous for backwaters, tea hills, Ayurveda, and beaches. It’s safe, clean by Indian standards, and built for tourism. Here’s what you need to plan your trip.

 Best Time to Visit

Peak season: Oct – Feb: Pleasant weather, 22-32°C. Ideal for backwaters, beaches, wildlife. Prices highest.  

Monsoon: Jun – Sep: Lush and green. Best for Ayurveda treatments. Fewer tourists, 30-40% cheaper hotels. Heavy rain though.  

Summer: Mar – May: Hot and humid, 32-38°C. Hill stations like Munnar are still good. Cheapest time.

How to Reach Kerala

By Air: Main international airports are Kochi (COK), Trivandrum (TRV), and Calicut (CCJ). Direct flights from Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe.  

Visa: Most foreigners need an e-Tourist Visa. Apply online before arrival.  

Getting around: Trains connect major cities. Taxis and Uber available in cities. For hill stations/backwaters, hire a car with driver: `$30-$50/day`. Buses are cheapest but crowded.

 Top Places to Visit

1. Alleppey & Kumarakom - Backwaters 

The icon of Kerala. Stay on a traditional kettuvallam houseboat and cruise through palm-lined canals.  

Do: Overnight houseboat, village walks, canoe at sunrise.  

Budget: Houseboat day cruise $25/person. Dorm beds $6-$10/night.  

Expensive: Private luxury houseboat with chef $180-$400/night. Lakeside resorts like Kumarakom Lake Resort $250-$600/night.

2. Munnar - Tea Hills 

Cool climate, endless tea plantations, misty mountains.  

Do: Tea museum, Eravikulam National Park to see Nilgiri Tahr, trek to Top Station.  

Budget: Homestays $12-$20/night. Local buses to sights $1-$2.  

Expensive: 5-star resorts like Windermere Estate or Spice Tree $200-$450/night. Private guided treks $40/day.

3. Kochi (Cochin) - Historic Port City  

Fort Kochi has Portuguese, Dutch, and British influence.  

Do: Chinese fishing nets, Jewish Synagogue, Kathakali dance show, spice markets.  

Budget: Hostels $8-$15/night. Street food meals $1-$3.  

Expensive: Boutique hotels like Brunton Boatyard $180-$300/night. Seafood dinners $20-$40/person.

4. Thekkady - Home to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

Do: Boat safari on Periyar Lake, spice plantation tour, bamboo rafting.  

Budget: Park entry $6. Guesthouses $15-$25/night.  

Lavish: Jungle lodges like Spice Village $150-$250/night. Private safaris $50.

5. Varkala & Kovalam - Varkala has a dramatic cliff + beach. Kovalam beach is more developed 

Do: Cliff cafes, Ayurveda massages, surfing lessons.  

Budget: Beach shacks $10-$18/night. Massage $8-$12/hour.  

Expensive: Cliff-top resorts $120-$280/night. Ayurveda packages $100+/day.

6. Wayanad - Nature & Tribal Culture

Forests, waterfalls, caves, and coffee plantations.  

Do: Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam, wildlife in Tholpetty.  

Budget: Treehouses $20-$35/night. Scooter rental $6/day.  

Expensive: Luxury plantation resorts like Vythiri Resort $200-$500/night.

 Tips for Foreigners

2. Food: Kerala is famous for seafood, appam with stew, and banana chips. Tell them "no spicy" if needed.  

3. Ayurveda: Only go to government-certified centers. Real treatments are 7-14 days, not a 1-hour massage.  

4. Monsoon deals: If you visit Jun-Sep, resorts slash prices. Best time for budget luxury.  

5. Culture: Remove shoes before entering homes/temples. Public display of affection isn’t common.  

Conclusion 

Kerala blends wild natural beauty with deep cultural roots, all wrapped in a laid-back pace that makes travel feel effortless. Whether you’re drifting through Alleppey’s backwaters on a $25 houseboat or unwinding at a $400/night hilltop spa in Munnar, the state meets you where your budget is. From spice-scented streets in Kochi to cliffside sunsets in Varkala, every stop offers something distinct yet unmistakably Keralite.

Go between October and February for perfect weather, or brave the monsoon for lush landscapes and serious savings. However you plan it, Kerala rewards slow travel. Take time to sip chai at a roadside stall, watch a Kathakali dancer’s eyes tell a story, and let the rhythm of “God’s Own Country” reset your own.

 

Kerala doesn’t just show you India. It lets you feel it.

Article by Archit Varma, India Travel Buddy

Photos by iStock

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